Cold Water Therapy

Learn all about why the Wim Hof method could be worth introducing into your day-to-day.

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What is cold water therapy?

According to healer and wellness expert Antonia Harman (divineempowerment.co.uk(opens in new tab)), the term 'cold water therapy' means exactly what it says on the tin—that is, it simply refers to the therapeutic befits of cold water. "This comes in many forms", she shares. "Think cold showers, dips in unheated lidos(opens in new tab), ice baths or even cold chambers".

Wondering how cold is, well, cold? Dr Michael Barnish, head of genetics and nutrition at REVIV (revivme.com(opens in new tab)) reckons you're good if you go for anything below 15 degrees C. "Many seasoned cold water users brave just a few degrees C."

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What are the benefits of cold water therapy?

Or, what doesn't it promise to do? Benefits are still hotly disputed in the scientific world, and CWT still errs on the edge of woo woo wellness territory.

"More research needs to be done, for sure, but many athletes and celebrities swear by cold water for recovery reasons," shares Antonia.

Alongside improved recovery, cold water therapy is believed to:

• Boost the immune system
• Improve circulation
• Deepen sleep
• Boost energy levels
• Reduce inflammation
• Improve metabolic function
• Improve mood.

Dr Barnish, himself a cold water enthusiast, goes as far as to call cold water therapy "the elixir of life." But why?

"Top laboratories around the world are discovering being cold for a short period, using water or not, seems to extend your life expectancy. Being exposed to uncomfortably low temperatures, the key word being uncomfortably, seems to activate the longevity genes engaging our survival response, a key player in making sure our DNA is repaired before new cells are made", he shares.

Not only that, but Barnish shares that cold water can promote positive metabolic changes in the body and help with skin conditions, such as acne(opens in new tab) and eczema(opens in new tab).

Which benefits have been scientifically proven?

It's all well and good debating the potential benefits of getting your cold on, but what have researchers actually proven so far?

Antonia shares: "A small study on cyclists from 2011 concluded that cold water therapy reduces the symptoms of DOMs, or delayed onset muscle soreness(opens in new tab). So, if you ache like crazy after training especially when you are trying a new sport or have had a break from it, a cold shower may save you from pain later."

How does this work? Well, she explains, cold can help to numb pain by constricting blood vessels, which in turn helps to reduce swelling. That’s why ice is a great remedy for anything from bee stings to sprained ankles.

While it's clear more research needs to be done on the benefits of CWT, Dr Barnish highlights that there is a large body of research on the benefits of being uncomfortably cold intermittently, plus how to stimulate healthy brown fat by being cold. "A specialist science team from the University of California are exclusively researching this area", he adds.

That's before we even get started on cryotherapy, cold water therapy's sister which uses technology to reduce the body temperature instead of water. "Studies show that cryotherapy improves performance, reduces inflammation, and assists workout recovery(opens in new tab) time—it's just pricier than cold water therapy," shares Barnish.

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